Grads, help the world

Great news to see more high school students graduating in America ("California graduation rate at record high," April 29).

As a retired teacher, I remember the pride my students felt, often being the first in their families to graduate. Such a contrast to the 57 million children in our world who don't have any opportunity to go to school.

The Global Partnership for Education is working to change that. This June, the Global Partnership holds its funding conference to continue this work. America's contribution of $250 million over the next two years will make a difference and inspire other donors.

Perhaps high school students could look into this matter and take action on behalf of the children with no educational opportunities. In the process, they would learn what a privilege it is to have an education. This could motivate even more students to graduate and create a better world.

Willie Dickerson, Snohomish, Wash.

Revive the kill switch

Apparently the writer of "Why did they kill the kill switch" (Letters, April 29) doesn't understand the concept of a "kill switch."

He believes a password is enough. A thief might not be able to use a phone that is password-protected, but you're still out a phone. A kill switch would eliminate the possibility of a theft altogether. A thief isn't going to steal something he cannot sell or use himself.

I don't understand why it is so hard for some people to understand such a simple concept. Let's put it this way, if you have a lump of gold, thieves will want to steal it. If that lump of gold turns into a rock, no one will want to steal it. I sincerely hope this clears up the matter. Anyone against the kill switch is simply trying to make money, with little regard, if any at all, for the victims of cell phone theft.

Orlando La Rosa, South San Francisco

What about Ms. Saint?

"Two popes join ranks of saints" (April 28): Pope Francis, the "pope of the poor," honors two of his predecessors in an obvious political maneuver with the highest honors of the Roman Catholic Church, praising them as heroes of the 20th century.

Meanwhile, the church's real 20th century hero of the poor, Mother Teresa, is all but forgotten. The good ol' boy network is alive and well!

Tom Rudolph, Brisbane

Fracking foe's reward

As a member of a grassroots group working to ban fracking in San Benito County, I'd like to congratulate Helen Slottje on winning the Goldman Environmental Prize for her incredible work helping New York towns to ban fracking ("Lawyer fighting fracking among 6 prize winners," April 28).

California communities are inspired by the New York towns that stood up to the fossil fuel industry. My grassroots group (San Benito Rising) recently qualified a county initiative for the November ballot. We are indebted to Helen for her groundbreaking legal work. Our ballot initiative utilizes her legal theory that local communities can use zoning and land use laws to protect our water and health from heavy industrial activities like oil and gas extraction.

The growing opposition of communities across California to fracking and extreme extraction should give notice to Gov. Jerry Brown and state lawmakers that the political winds are shifting. It's only a matter of time before California follows New York's example and adopts a moratorium or ban. The question is whether we can halt statewide fracking, cyclic steam injection and acidizing before these dangerous techniques significantly contaminate the state's water and air.

Mary Hsia-Coron, Aromas (Monterey County)

Treasures lost - or just covered up?

The Indian artifacts in Larkspur ("Ancient Indian artifacts lost under development," April 23) were "covered up" by development in more ways than one.

It is absolutely appalling that such an incredibly rich and unique archaeological site has been destroyed and all of that knowledge lost forever. The fact that the public is just now finding out about it confirms the duplicity of the parties involved - follow the money. Who profited and how much by allowing the development to continue under the cloak of darkness?

If DNA testing was prohibited, the Graton Rancheria has no legitimate claim to the artifacts. And, by the way, those of us with ancestors in the British Isles have had our ancient ancestors dug up and studied, for the benefit of all mankind.

Gleneda Borton, San Rafael

Money vs. ancient Indians

About that ancient Indian burial site in Larkspur. Woody Allen has made that movie. It's called "Take the Money and Run."